Inside View: Ripon College

With just under 1,000 students, Ripon College in Wisconsin may not be on the radar of most college shoppers, but it is a hidden gem worthy of a look for any student seeking an intimate and supportive college experience. It's also a financial bargain, with a relatively low price tag and generous merit scholarship opportunities. Ripon's most popular majors are English, biology, business, history and psychology, but the school's other departments are solid as well. I asked Angela Olivas, a junior environmental studies major at Ripon, for an insider's view of campus life.

When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

Proximity to home, cost, class size

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

I applied to Ripon, Lawrence, Beloit, UW-Madison, and Northland College.

What were the main reasons you finally decided on Ripon?

After visiting Ripon I didn't even visit any other schools. The atmosphere and the people are so inviting, and I was treated like I was already a part of the College. It made my decision even easier once Ripon gave me the best financial aid package.

What has been your biggest surprise about Ripon - something you expected that didn’t prove true, or something you didn’t expect that surprised you?

I expected large classes in college. I have a class with 8 people in it. Also, my Ripon friends have become my second family, closer than any friends I will ever have.

How would you describe the "typical" Ripon student?

Although there are so many different kinds of people here a "typical" Ripon student is generous, goal-oriented, active on campus, inspired and inspiring.

How would you describe the academic climate at Ripon? How tough is the coursework?

Coursework is what you make it, some classes are more challenging than others, but since professors want to help their students, I have never been given an assignment I could not handle. There are so many people and resources on campus to help the students here, such as SSS (Student Support Services) and the CLC (Colaborative Learning Center) which is actually a house on campus.

How are Ripon's dorms? What was your dorm like Freshman year? How do you find the food?

Ripon has 4 different types of dorms, all of them are nice. Most First-Years are able to live in a suite, which has two bedrooms and a common middle room shared by 4 people. This year, Ripon has newly built senior apartments. There are 3 different places to eat, all good and nice to have since I am always in the mood for something different.

What is your favorite place on campus? What's the worst part of campus? How would you describe the surrounding community?

My favorite part of campus is anywhere outside. The landscape and architecture are so beautiful. I guess the worst part of campus is that the longest walk to class is about 15 minutes or less. The surrounding community is small, but there is a really cool downtown with shops and places to eat within walking distance of campus. I don't have a car, and no, one is not necessary.

What do people do at Ripon for fun on the weekends? Where do people hang out, both on and off campus?

There is the occasional weekend where people who live close enough will go home. Otherwise, there is always a campus event, athletic event or place to hang out. If we go off campus it is to go out to eat or to see a movie. There are a lot of people who are in a sorority/fraternity, however there are also plenty who are not. It doesn't matter if you are not a part of Greek life, it is all about personal preference.

What do you like best about Ripon? What would you change?

What I like best is how close everyone here is. If I could change something it would be that Ripon College would cancel classes when the near-by schools cancel school for cold weather :)

Do you have any advice for high school juniors and seniors trying to decide where to apply or where to attend?

I would advise to visit the campuses and talk with people from the colleges.

The Changing Landscape of College Admissions

The college admissions landscape has been changing in recent years, and understanding how those changes may affect your, or your child's, chances of admissions, is an important part of college planning.

National Public Radio featured an interesting series of interviews on the changes and pressures affecting college admissions last week on its Justice Talking program, and it's well worth a listen. The interviews include one discussing how changes in financial aid and class distinctions are affecting college enrollment. There is also an interesting piece on how Amherst is attempting to attract greater economic diversity through policy changes in its financial aid programs. And, if you've ever wondered if attending an elite university will make a difference in your future success, don't miss the interview with Stacy Dale, co-author of a research study that examined the effects of elite college attendance on lifetime earnings.

The programs are available at the link above, and can also be downloaded to MP3 for later listening.

The Importance of Authenticity In College Admissions

First, my apologies for the long absence. This is a busy time of year for a college counselor, and this year has been busier than most for me.

Whether you're a senior finishing up your applications, or a junior or sophomore with a long way still to go, I highly recommend reading this great article about college applications. While the article talks about extracurriculars, its most important message is simple: Authenticity is what matters most in college admissions. Don't take up an extracurricular simply because you think it's what colleges want to see; don't choose your essay topic simply because you think it's what admissions people want to read. Instead, focus on who you really are and what you truly enjoy doing. In short, it is in being true to yourself that you are most likely to find your authentic passion. Yes, there's always a risk that being yourself or following your true interests might not appeal to the admissions committee at Harvard, or Stanford, or whatever fine colleges you add to your list. But in the end, do you really want to go to a college that doesn't appreciate you for who you truly are?

With that said, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Michael Tubbs. Michael is a young man who has followed his passion, despite many obstacles. Michael, I am so proud of you! Read about Michael, here, and be sure to watch the video accompanying the story. Then, go out and believe in yourself. Michael did it, and so can you.

Good luck to all seniors!

New Database Provides Insights On Student Engagement

One of the main drawbacks of college rankings is that they usually tell you very little about what you will actually experience as a student at a particular college.

In an effort to get a handle on that information, the National Survey of Student Engagement or NSSE, conducted annually by the Center for Post-Secondary Research at Indiana University, has been asking college students at over 1,200 colleges and universities about their learning and personal development experiences while enrolled in college. Unfortunately, NSSE has left it up to the participating colleges to decide whether to share the Survey's findings with the public. While some have provided the information on their websites, comparing institutions has been difficult.

A new collaboration between USA Today, NSSE, and the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) now makes it a little easier for students and parents to compare and contrast at least some of the data from NSSE. Yesterday,USA Today unveiled searchable database of key NSSE indicators for 245 colleges and universities. Prospective students and their parents can now get a snapshot glimpse into how actual students at institutions of interest view their educational experiences, and easily compare the data to other colleges.

USA Today also includes a great little summary article about the steps individual colleges are taking to improve student educational experiences/. And, NACAC counseling members are also answering questions from the public about how to find, apply to, and get the most out of college.

You won't find it on the USA Today website, but do also take a moment to download and print NSSE's great guide to the questions parents and students should be asking as they shop for colleges, Are You Asking The Right Questions? I've mentioned it here before, but it's one resource worth repeating.

Unfortunately, the information on the USA Today website is still limited to the quarter of colleges who participate in NSSE and are willing to share the findings for their campuses. I will be a very happy camper the day ALL colleges agree to both participate in NSSE research AND share all of their findings, warts and all. Students deserve all the information they can get as they face one of the most important decisions of their lives.